The rugby and rugby league judiciaries trod different paths with Brumby Henry Speight and Bulldog Josh Jackson, both charged with dangerous throws – a blight on both codes.
Speight copped five weeks, Jackson one.
Speight will miss the vital Brumbies’ Super Rugby semi-final clash with table-topping Hurricanes at Wellington on Saturday, plus the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship games against the Boks at Suncorp on July 18, and the Pumas at Mendoza on July 27.
And so he should, having up-ended the Stormers Juan de Jongh on his head without possession.
Inexcusable.
And to the Brumbies and Speight’s credit, there was no comment on the decision.
But Jackson was bashed by a feather for his dangerous throw on Panther Jamie Soward in the first half last Saturday, and was facing at least three weeks that would include the Origin deciding clash at Suncorp on July 8.
Jackson had his charge downgraded when it was pointed out Greg Eastwood played a “significant” role in the tackle, so the judiciary gave Jackson a week off for next Monday’s NRL clash with the Storm.
Despite the hell Alex McKinnon’s been through since he was upended last season, dangerous and illegal tackles have become endemic in rugby league.
So last night’s decision was a disgrace.
It raises the question, would the decision been the same had there been no Origin in the mix?
And Jackson’s quotes last night were enough to make you blink in amazement.
“It definitely wasn’t a good tackle, and I’ve been penalised for it by missing a Bulldogs’ game.
“Hopefully I can adjust my technique in the future.”
That’s worth repeating – “Hopefully I can adjust my technique in the future”.
For a 24-year-old who has been around the traps since moving from the Knights’ SG Ball team to the Dogs in 2012, and subsequently worn the Australian and Origin jerseys, to hopefully adjust his technique where a dangerous throw is so obviously a no-no, beggars belief.
Rugby got it right with Henry Speight copping five weeks, Josh Jackson should have copped the same, and so should every other rugby league player in the future who hasn’t got the message that a dangerous throw is exactly what it says, and is illegal.
Must we have another Alex McKinnon tragedy before the players and the judiciary wake up to themselves?
Jackso
Guest
" Why would the ARL have a system where they exclude Australian born and bred players being ineligible to play for a state whos(e) native state doesn’t have a state team." So if Victoria RL got strong they would all play for NSW?? How is that State of origin - is this pathetic or what...Just as NSW born players cant play AFL SOO for Victoria - RU serious??/
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Look at the frame of the tackle,he was trying to assist Soward,but his effort in doing so, had three people holding Soward in the air.
Jono
Guest
Kuridrani got 5 weeks (reduced from 8) two years ago during the Spring Tour. He missed two Wallaby matches and luckily for him the Brumbies had 3 trial matches before the start of the season so he was able to be selected in the first round. So the potential is there to miss matches despite your suggestion otherwise. To your earlier comment regarding byes counting: The bye clearly doesn't count as was penalised 4 weeks and given 5 to account for a bye week his club team has. If the bye did count he'd only potentially be barred from 1 Wallabies match and not 2. As for not missing much rugby, he got four weeks and in those weeks he eligible to play in four matches. For certain 1 super rugby game, after that it would either be another super game or a club game, bye, and then comes the two Wallaby games. However, not only is he not allowed to play in those, but he wouldn't be allowed to play club rugby in those weeks either. So regardless of his selection for the Wallabies he would still be kept from representing a team for 4 weeks, which also makes your Origin analogue not a great comparison.
spruce moose
Guest
Which is why league's suspension rules are better. If Speight did this on the spring tour, then he misses no matches. Ridiculous.
Jara W
Guest
Well granted, it's not outside the rules, so I'm not gonna get my get my knickers in a Gallen. But you're really going to use the judicial process clearing Scott as an argument? ...On this article? Ah the irony.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I actually think Jake Trbojevic and Dylan Napa are the two best front on defenders in the NRL. The blindsiding of Gallen is what has made Papalii's career to date. Got him some recognition. It's up to him to get beyond that and prove that he is a top shelf player. I think he could be. But he's certainly not there yet. And way too early to declare that Gallen will avoid Origin if Papalii plays. As you did on another thread. Or that he will eat him up. Give me a break.
The eye
Guest
Its not that tough to get by Papa..hes missed 15 tackles in the last 5 games..do you have a reel of those..Beau Scotts tackles,the whole 2 of them..almost a museum of modern art..were deemed legal by the Director of Referees..take it up with him..
Dutski
Guest
I bet Junior Paulo wishes he did his tackle now instead of week 1 or 2 of the season. The whole getting tough on spear tackles has evaporated. He would get 2 weeks now.
V.O.R.
Guest
Papalii blind sides Gallen and you mob give him the reputation as someone who takes out players off the ball...while Beau Scott makes an art of it.....I'll say it again. Papalii probably has the best front on defence in the entire league. That's the dominant aspect of his game and what he should be known for....Slater's been taken out off the ball twice in two seasons causing an injury to each shoulder....I don't remember him whinging like Gallen...Papalii will eat him up in Game 3....front, behind and sideways.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Roger that so its a 5 week suspension meaning he misses whatever games are played in that period = 3. Reckon he was in line for selection against the Boks. His place will now go to team mate Joe Tomane.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Well the NT and Qld combine but the NT doesn't get a mention either. Why would the ARL have a system where they exclude Australian born and bred players being ineligible to play for a state whos native state doesn't have a state team. In that scenario they would never be able to play origin when there is still overseas born players eligible for origin.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
That was a very nice tackle And yes Beau Scott has done his fair share of late, off the ball tackles. But come on VOR you must admit Papalii's hits on Gallen were all late and from behind. No re-writing of history there.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Rugby League is a joke ..... first Hodges one week, which should have been more, now Jackson one week which should have been more. All I can do is laugh about both.
V.O.R.
Guest
Yep...it's excepted now
Jara W
Guest
No consistency? I think the message is loud and clear: If you're a chance of wearing a blue jersey this time of year feel free to spear tackle whoever you want. I'd say the judiciary has been pretty damn consistent with that stance for quite a few years.
V.O.R.
Guest
You Mexicans always trying to rewrite the history....hope you have a chapter in there on Beau Scott. ...Papalii probably has the hardest front on defence in the entire league. He has a show reel of these. http://youtu.be/oTNOlvnemlE
Renegade
Roar Guru
Papalii's best chance would be to hit him from behind.... history shows his pretty good at blindsiding others ;)
Jay C
Roar Guru
With all the talk about Tallis fighting Klemmer. I would love to see Papali picked and told to knock him out the first word comes out of his mouth. I miss the biff.
Fatu Ah Siu
Guest
No consistency and p.i's and kiwis are always given an amount of time on the sidelines. Such important circumstances given to nswelshmen, wow, what a load crock.
Jackso
Guest
You were so polite you must be an NRL official. But your answer is irrelevant. Its State of origin and Canberra is not part of NSW (not since 1913). This has been confirmed by the new eligibility laws ( link below which took them 30 years to devise - 2012) but there is no mention of being born in the ACT except when they were announced they said ACT players would still be eligible for NSW ( and even more bizarrely NT players eligible for Qld). And don't deflect by stating that Dugan is grandfathered because he played prior to 2012. That's true but still doesn't fix the error in the first place.RL is the only code where NSW and ACT combine but the ACT doesn't get a mention. The only code. They said Michael O'Connor ( a Canberra Union resident was eligible) because he played his first RL senior game for St George yet Dugan was eligible because he played for the raiders which didn't exist when the SOO laws were framed. Talk about moving the goalposts. https://www.nrl.com/portals/nrl/RadEditor/Documents/CorpHospitality/OriginEligibilityExplained.pdf